Uganda Turns to Deeper France Partnership as Musherure Meets Ambassador Leroy

KAMPALA — Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in charge of Microfinance, Shartsi Musherure Kuteesa, has held talks with French Ambassador to Uganda Virginie Leroy on strengthening bilateral development cooperation, including the role of France’s development agency in supporting Uganda’s economic priorities.

Musherure paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Leroy at the French Embassy in Kampala on Monday, where the two officials discussed the broader Uganda-France partnership and areas of shared interest.

According to Musherure, particular attention was given to the work of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and how its development support aligns with the priorities of Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and, by extension, those of the Government of Uganda.

“We had a cordial exchange on the strong partnership between Uganda and France, and on areas of shared interest and cooperation, especially the work of the Agence Française de Développement and how its support aligns with the priorities of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and, by extension, the Government of Uganda,” Musherure said.

AFD is France’s development-financing institution and works with partner countries on development and investment programmes. Its engagement in Uganda therefore provides an important channel through which the two countries can pursue cooperation in areas linked to economic development, climate resilience, infrastructure and other national priorities.

Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Microfinance) Shartsi Musherure (L) shares a moment with French Ambassador to Uganda Virginie Leroy during a courtesy call at the French Embassy in Kampala.

The meeting comes as Uganda continues to engage development partners on financing and investment priorities under its broader national development agenda.

Musherure, a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Mawogola North County in Sembabule District, was appointed Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development in 2026. Parliament subsequently vetted her for the position in June.

Her ministerial portfolio places her at the intersection of Uganda’s public-finance priorities and programmes targeting economic empowerment and development financing, making engagement with international development partners a significant part of the ministry’s work.

Musherure thanked Ambassador Leroy for the reception and for what she described as France’s continued friendship and support for Uganda’s development.

“We look forward to deepening this partnership for the benefit of our people,” she said.

The engagement also comes against the backdrop of wider international discussions on development finance and climate adaptation. In 2026, AFD featured Musherure as a speaker in discussions on adaptation as a macro-fiscal challenge, alongside development-finance and economic policy experts from several countries.

The meeting between Musherure and Ambassador Leroy therefore places development financing and the alignment of international support with Uganda’s fiscal and economic priorities at the centre of the continuing Uganda-France partnership.